Erick Rudolph Ready To Keep Pressure On Sheppard Heading To World Finals
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Story By: CRISTINA CORDOVA / DIRTCAR – CONCORD, NC – An impressive blend of speed and consistency has been the key to Matt Sheppard’s continued position atop the points table. The six-time Super DIRTcar Series Champion from Waterloo, NY is tied with Stewart Friesen for the most wins this year (five) and remained at the top of the point standings throughout the season.
While falling short of his previous two years’ 12-win totals, Sheppard has recorded 10 podiums, including a streak of three in a row.
Rudolph, 26, from Ransomville, NY, has two wins to his name this season, putting him second in points during his first full-time season with the Series, up from 22nd last year. The second-generation racer (father and crew chief Charlie Rudolph ran the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 1987 and ’88 and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the early ‘90s) has had an unprecedented season in his family-owned No. 25 Big-Block Modified, showing himself to be the most consistent driver on the tour with 15 Top-Five finishes and 19 Top-10s (of 22 starts).
The point permutations are plentiful heading into the final weekend of the 28-race season (including four nights at DIRTcar Nationals), although realistically, only a pair of wins – as well as a few hiccups on Sheppard’s part – will give Rudolph a decent shot at pipping Sheppard to the crown. If he is able to achieve that goal, Sheppard will require at least a ninth and a 10-place finish (or any combination totaling more than 130 points) to keep the title out of Rudolph’s grasp. That said, Sheppard capped off last year’s championship with a second place finish and a win at Charlotte last year, so chances are slim.
Last year’s World Finals also saw Mat Williamson in Victory Lane on night one — with a loaner motor no less. Although he has no Super DIRTcar Series wins to his credit this year, Williamson is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career, at Brockville in his DIRTcar 358 Modified, so the 28-year-old St. Catherine’s, Ontario native will be bringing a lot of momentum into Charlotte.
Four-time Super DIRTcar Series Champion Danny Johnson’s hopes of winning the championship after three impressive wins this year have unfortunately expired, but the Doctor retains high hopes of finishing his season on a high note and keeping his third-place spot over Jimmy Phelps.
Fortunately for the above contenders, Super DIRTcar Series regular Stewart Friesen — with five wins in 13 starts this season — will not be a threat at World Finals. The Canadian hot shoe will be wearing his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hat that weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for the JAG Metals 350.
Keep your eyes on young gun Jack Lehner, who captured an impressive Last Chance Showdown win at NAPA Super DIRT Week XLVII and will make his World Finals debut.
The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds will kick off the racing action with non-timed Hot Laps at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, followed by timed Hot Laps to determine Heat lineups. Heats for both Friday and Saturday will run on Thursday after 6 p.m. opening ceremonies. Friday and Saturday will commence with Last Chance Showdowns at 5:00 p.m. and end with the Features in all divisions.